Surname Bachmaier - Meaning and Origin
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Bachmaier: What does the surname Bachmaier mean?
The last name Bachmaier is a German surname meaning “Baker” or “Miller”. The name likely originated in an area of Germany where grains were an important part of the local cuisine. This could be related to the profession of baking or milling of grain.
In the middle ages, the population of Germany was much smaller, and most people lived in small local villages. As such, occupations were inherited from one generation to the next. This means that “Bachmaier” could have been given to a family of bakers or millers in order to identify their trade. There are several variations on the spelling of the surname, such as “Bachmeier” or “Bachmair”, which means the same thing.
Today, those bearing the surname can trace their ancestry back to centuries ago, when their family members worked in baking and milling. The surname could also be passed down through the female side of the family, although this was less common at the time. Those with the surname today can be proud of their ancestral roots and can even trace their family tree to find out more about their past.
Order DNA origin analysisBachmaier: Where does the name Bachmaier come from?
The last name Bachmaier is quite common throughout German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is also common in regions of Europe where German-speaking populations have migrated in large numbers, such as Hungary and the United States. The Unites States currently houses the largest population with that name, with more than 3,500 people having Bachmaier as their last name.
The Bavarian region, which is in the far south of Germany, is the area where Bachmaier is most common. People with the last name Bachmaier are often found in Germany's Bavarian region, which includes the cities of Munich and Nuremberg. Outside of Bavaria, the name is also fairly common in the neighboring German states of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, but less so in other regions of Germany.
Due to European immigration, Bachmaier is also common in certain areas of the United States. Some of the larger states where immigrants with the name Bachmaier settled include New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The name is also fairly common in Canada, particularly in the province of Ontario, where most of the early German immigrants settled.
Overall, the last name Bachmaier appears to be most prevalent in German-speaking countries and regions, as well as those areas with a significant German-speaking population.
Variations of the surname Bachmaier
The Bachmaier surname can be spelled in a variety of ways and also has several variant surnames that have the same origin. The most common variants include Bachmeier, Backmeier, and Bachmeier. There are also many different spelling variations, including Bakhmeier, Bahmaier, Behmeier, and Bakmaier.
The Bachmaier surname is also found in various forms as a patronymic surname, meaning that it is derived from the first name of the person's father. Examples include Bachman, Bachmayr, Bachmyer, and Bahmann.
Other surnames that are considered to have the same origin are Bachmayer, Bachmair, and Behmayer. Most of these variants have originated from a combination of two German words, ‘Bach’, which is a stream, and ‘Maier’ which means mayor.
The surnames Bachmair and Behmayer are more common in Austria and Bavaria. Bachmair is derived from the combination of ‘Bach", a stream, and ‘Mair’ meaning a mayor or magistrate. Behmayer is derived from the combination of ‘Beh’ meaning a slope or hillside and ‘Mayer’ meaning mayor or magistrate.
As the name spread and spread into different countries, variants began to be adapted to sound more like names in the native language. For example, in the Netherlands, Bachmaier became Bochma, and it also morphed into Bokma in Norway. In France, Bachmaier became Bachemaire, and in Scotland, it is now known as Bachtair.
In any case, the variants, spellings, and surnames of origin for Bachmaier tackle the establishment of a strong Germanic identity.
Famous people with the name Bachmaier
- Klaus Bachmaier: An Austrian-born folk musician, composer, and multi-instrumentalist who performs traditional Alpine and folk music.
- Lauren Bachmaier: The winner of the 2019 Miss Illinois crown.
- Ronald Bachmaier: A veteran actor known for his roles in German television shows and films.
- Herrmann Bachmaier: A German impressionist painter known for his landscapes and realistic works of art.
- Lucy Bachmaier: An organizer of the Women's March in downtown Cleveland in 2017.
- Pauline Bachmaier: A violinist from the German state of Saxony-Anhalt.
- Michael Bachmaier: The artistic director of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra since 2002.
- Thomas Bachmaier: A German former professional footballer who won the 1999–2000 Bundesliga with Hamburger SV.
- Winfried Bachmaier: A German former professional footballer who played for Bayern Munich from 1968-1981.
- Julius Bachmaier: A German composer and conductor who wrote numerous works of classical music, including the symphony ‘Maifest’.